When Cedar Rapids Kennedy golfer Brigham Stewart finished making good shots, the numbers turned out great.

Stewart was impressive, shooting an 8-under par 64 to capturing medalist honors and helping the Cougars to the team title Thursday at the Mississippi Valley Conference Super Meet at Twin Pines Golf Course. Stewart edged teammate Cody Bell by two strokes, while Kennedy posted a 14-under 274 team total to beat Dubuque Hempstead by 11 shots. Host Cedar Rapids Xavier was third with 286.

Stewart said he surprised himself slightly with the final result, but during the round he concentrated on his play and not the score.

"I don't really get too excited," Stewart said. "Just kind of kept making shots and putts and played well."

He was nearly perfect, carding nine birdies and only one bogey with matching 32s on the front and back. One of the birdies came on par-4 No. 15. Stewart nearly drove the green, chipping within a foot of the hole and making the short putt.

"I was just hitting real straight and getting good contact on the driver," Stewart said. "That was one of the keys today. Especially out here."

Stewart's passion for the game is a big reason for his success. He is devoted to the game, making it his top activity.

"A lot of his life revolves around golf," said Kennedy Coach Mark Wilden, noting he has good instructors at Elmcrest including golf pro Larry Gladson. "He's a very hard worker. Golf is big for him."

Golf was a big enough priority that when he couldn't crack the lineup as a freshman or sophomore he dedicated more time and increased his offseason work. Stewart said he spends one to two hours daily on his golf game by hitting into nets or working out. It paid dividends last year, becoming a key part of Kennedy's Class 4A state runner-up team – the school's third straight top-four state finish – and continued Thursday.

"I kept my head in there and worked hard over the winter time," Stewart said. "I really just persevered and started to get my game in check. I'm playing really well right now and hopefully it can last through the rest of the season."

The Cougars dominated the conference meet. Bell showed his ability to score low with three eagles and three birdies for a 33-33-66. Kennedy's balance was on display again with Mitchell Martin and Jake Widling shooting even par. The two scores they didn't count were Harrison Moore's 73 and freshman Conner Koberg's 76, which would have been good for most of the other 13 teams.

"I knew we had good leadership in Cody and Brigham," Wilden said. "They just showed that today. The other guys, a lot of teams would be happy with the other guys, because they shot even (par), even, one over and four over, so I'm as pleased by that."

Don't expect this performance to be celebrated long. Stewart and Wilden both said more work has to be done and improvement made for bigger meets ahead.

"It's a good start and that's all it is," Wilden said. "It's one meet. We're looking to hopefully do better down the road."

The Saints improved two spots from last year's finish, and had three golfers score par or better. Jason Beer powered Xavier with a 69. Sophomore Ben Sagers and senior J.P. King added a 70 and 72 for Xavier.

Beer received a boost from birdies on three of his first five holes. He tallied seven birdies overall, including one on No. 18 that helped rebound from a bogey and double bogey on consecutive holes.

"I got off to a good start," said Beer. "On the front, I played a lot more consistent."

Linn-Mar was sixth, finishing two shots back of Iowa City High for fifth. Lions' senior Tyler McCann finished third, posting a 5-under 67. He carded five birdies and scored an eagle in the par-five No. 2 hole.

Thursday's scores will be added to two divisional meets in September to determine MVC Divisional champions and all-conference teams.